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Marina
I can't overcome my fear to speak :(
Well, I have been studing English since primary school and I studied it at University too but... it was not enough. My level is still something about B2, and it's noticeably lower when it comes to speaking (or even listening). Now I'm 28, but I had no experience of real communication with the foreigners, I've never spoken with them before. Some days ago I found out about italki and registered on this platform. Now there are a lot of people who is ready to talk to me on Skype, they suggest their help and interaction but I agree only on written communication. I just can't overcome my fear to try to speak! I'm afraid. I'm afraid I won't understand their pronunciation or accent. I'm afraid I can't express my thoughts. I'm afraid I'll forget the words or won't have the opportunity to use the dictionary or translator. So I don't know how to cope with my fears...
Maybe you have some ideas or thoughts about it? Have you ever been in such situation or felt something like me?
I have now only one idea - to try to start with voice messages on Viber. It won't be so scary, I think, becase I'll have some time to think about how to say this or that or to glance in the translator and after that record a voice message. Is there anyone who can help me to try this way of communication at first? I would be very grateful :)
Jun 17, 2019 9:18 PM
Comments · 22
7

Speak to yourself out loud. Try to ask a question and then answer that question. Try imagin any particular situation where you have to build a conversation. For example imagine you are looking for something in the mall. Ask imaginary manager out loud. - Do you have a shirt? and the answer that question. - yes, we have shirts and many other goods.. Are you tired looking for shirts? )) go to the bar, ask for a drink. Ask imaginary barmen - Do you have beer?

When you'll get confidence in that kind of conversation you can talk to anybody

June 18, 2019
4
That's perfectly normal, Marina. Most of my new students come to me with the same issue. Any italki professional teacher or community tutor with a few thousand lessons on this platform will easily be able to get you comfortable speaking immediately. That’s a minimum requirement for success in this profession. After you’ve built your confidence with one or two paid lessons, you’ll be in a much stronger position to work with language partners.

June 17, 2019
3
Guys, thank you so much for your support!
You are so nice, responsive and understanding!
I do like this site :)
June 18, 2019
2

I would highly recommend (if you don't mind spending a bit of money) doing a few lessons with a tutor who has given a large number of lessons - exactly as Phil has suggested. They are completely used to people who are hesitant to speak and have probably heard every mistake learners are going to make.

I know exactly what you feel like, I had the same fear when I started. I found a tutor and after the first lesson I was so glad I took the leap and tried it. Their job is to help you. In fact, if they aren't accommodating and understanding, find another tutor.

If you don't want to find a tutor, look for someone who is learning your native language and send them a message. You may need to try a number of people first before you find someone you are comfortable working with.

Good luck and I hope you work through your fear and turn it into excitement that you can actually speak another language.

June 18, 2019
2
I moved to Canada when I was 25 years old.My English skill was soooo poor especially listening skill back then.
I even didn't understand what the starbucks employee was asking simple question such as How's going?...
I felt I was loser but I also thought who fuc,ing cared.
What I did was to continuously go to the same starbucks. It worked darn well.
They remembered me and talked about the casual topic.My ear gradually started accustomed to real English.

Now I am assume you are at the same stage. I know it's so hard to overcome the fear and embarrassment. But you will not be able to improve spoken English without "hands on experience". In another words,you can advance rapidly if you do countless of trial and errors.120%. Feeling fear is a form of intelligence so don't think of fear as negative.It's positive!You can go over your English.

One of my advices is looking for great speakers of English who you can really enjoy the conversation with.
Continuous learning is the only way to succeed.
June 18, 2019
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